Melanie Hyde

I am a lifelong cyclist and have really enjoyed my first term as a director working for the community of people who see the world the way I do. I have learned so much and am looking forward to the challenges ahead. From my professional experience as a lab tech and section lead, the skills I bring to the board include my leadership, organizational and planning skills as well as my critical thinking abilities. In my committee and board roles with other organizations I have worked in the areas of membership development, education, strategic planning, fundraising and advocacy. From all of my roles, I have developed the ability to work with many different types of people. I look forward to continuing to serve in an area that has been a passion of mine for many years.

By donating to the BC Cycling Coalition, you are supporting our efforts to make cycling safe, accessible and more comfortable for everyone in B.C.

Over the next few months, we will be focusing on encouraging the Provincial Government to make cycling a key part of their new Climate Leadership plan. Specially, we recommend that they invest $1 billion over the next 10 years to complete all ages and abilities cycling networks in communities around B.C and upgrade Provincial roads and bridges.

As well, we will be encouraging them to:

support cycling education

improve the Motor Vehicle Act to include a safe passing distance law and allowing riding two abreast

Remove the PST on and add rebates for electric bikes

reduce hazards and improve maintenance on roads and paths

support cycling tourism

Your contribution is critical to help make this happen.

You can either make a one-time donation below or make on-going monthly contributions here.

Please put more money into the budget and create long-term plans for building cycling facilities across the province. We have a chance to be a leader in this arena – so many British Columbians want to cycle more but they need proper bike lanes and other supports to do so. It helps set our climate change targets, it makes people healthier and builds strong communities.

While there has been investment by all levels of government in cycling routes in communities around the Province over the last decade, often these routes are not connected to each other leaving you stranded with your bike at busy intersections. Many destinations are still not served by safe comfortable convenient cycling connections. Until people can cycle from anywhere to anywhere without worrying if there is a good bicycle route, many won’t chose to ride a bicycle and we will not realize the full economic, health, environmental and social benefits from the hundreds of millions of dollars already invested in cycling.

Inadequate Funding for Communities

Communities across the province have produced extensive cycling network plans. Unfortunately, due to lack of funding, these cycling networks may not be complete for 20 to 30 years. For instance:

Surrey has recently completed a cycling plan that includes over 470 km of additional bike lanes and paths. With current funding, it plans on completing around 12km per year but has indicated that additional funding from the provincial and Federal Governments would speed implementation of the plan.

The Pedestrian & Cycling Master Plan – Capital Regional District estimated the cost of upgrading the bicycle network to attract people of all ages and abilities is around $275 million.

TransLink has estimated that completing all ages cycling networks around the region may be much higher than $800 million. Due to lack of new funding sources, in 2013, TransLink only invested $2 million.

Decades of Underinvestment

A large expenditure on cycling facilities is required to make up ground lost through several decades of underinvestment . The Netherlands, widely hailed as the world leader in cycling, spends approximately $40 per person per year on cycling. Several other jurisdictions with cycling levels similar to that of BC are matching or exceeding that level of investment. London Mayor Johnson recently announced he will increase cycling funding to $619 million over the next three years.

Cost Effective

No other transportation investment of similar size can boast the potential to be enjoyed by people of all ages and income brackets, in communities large and small, throughout the province. High quality cycling facilities that are attractive to a significant portion of the population such as bicycle paths and separated bicycle lanes can cost from $1 million to $4 million per km (1/6 the cost of one km of road network for motorized vehicles). This investment will enable the construction of hundreds of kilometres of high quality facilities in communities around the province, giving the majority of British Columbians access to great bicycle routes.

Everyone Benefits

Importantly, cycling facilities also benefit those who don’t ride a bicycle. Multi-use paths are used by pedestrians, in-line skaters, electric wheelchairs, personal mobility scooters, and skateboards. Traffic calming along bicycle routes benefits neighbourhoods, making streets safer for all pedestrians. But it has particular benefit for seniors, children, and the disabled. Bike lanes along busy streets calm traffic, enhancing the pedestrian environment and creating a more welcoming retail atmosphere.

Accelerated Investment

In our Cycling Strategy. we recommend a significant acceleration of the investment in cycling networks including bicycle paths, separated bicycle lanes and other high quality bicycle facilities totalling $175 million per year by all levels of government. This investment in infrastructure, accompanied by funding for education, promotion, and end-of-trip facilities, will enable residents and visitors of all ages and abilities to safely and conveniently cycle throughout the province, fostering healthier individuals and communities.

Take Action

We encourage the Provincial Government to show strong leadership by committing $100 per year for cycling and walking networks in communities around B.C.

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